Houthis launch drone attacks on Saudi oil terminal; Saudi warns of retaliation for security of oil exports

Sana/Riyadh: – The Houthi rebels, who dismissed the ceasefire proposal presented by Saudi Arabia, launched fierce drone attacks on a Saudi oil terminal and military bases. Saudi government informed that a tank filled with oil caught fire in the attack. Saudi, infuriated by the attacks, has warned of a strong retaliation against the missile and drone attacks.

Four days ago, Saudi presented a ceasefire proposal to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi also assured to stop attacks on the Hodeida port in Yemen and allow oil exports from the port. Saudi said that the revenue generated from these oil exports also would be given to the Houthi rebels. But the Houthi rebels dismissed the proposal, saying that there was nothing special in the proposal and continued with the attacks.

This year, Saudi withdrew the blockades in the Hodeida port and the first oil tanker docked in the port for the first time on Thursday. It was being said that the Houthi rebels will stop their attacks after this. But the Houthi rebels launched drone attacks on the Khamis Mushait and Najran cities in Saudi within the next few hours. Saudi claimed to have successfully intercepted the attacks. Saudi also presented the spares of the destroyed drones in front of the media.

But the Houthi rebels continued with their attacks. Houthi rebels launched drone attacks on the oil terminal in Jizan city in southeast Saudi on Thursday night. A tank filled with oil caught fire in the attack, and the video of the incident went viral on social media. Saudi, who had avoided talking about the Houthi attacks so far, gave information regarding this attack. Saudi avoided accusing the Houthi rebels directly.

Saudi warned that it would strongly retaliate against these attacks for security of the oil stocks and exports and also for the freedom of oil transport on the international level. Although Saudi avoided a direct mention of Houthi rebels, United Arab Emirates showered criticism on the Houthi attacks. Whereas Gulf Cooperation Council of the Gulf countries, also accused the Houthi rebels of the attacks in Saudi.